XAT 2026 will be conducted on January 4, with a test duration of 180 minutes. This year, the essay section has been excluded from the main exam and will be retained for later rounds in XAT 2026, such as the PI or GD. The paper includes two parts, three core sections in Part 1 and GK in Part 2. Candidates aiming for high scores often begin early with mock tests, sharpen their speed in QA, and solve varied Decision-Making sets to improve judgment.
XAT 2026 Preparation: Latest Update & Exam Overview
XAT 2026 is scheduled to take place on January 4, as per XLRI's official schedule. The exam continues in its computer-based format, with a total time limit of 180 minutes. One of the key updates this year is that the Analytical Essay Writing section has been excluded from the main paper. However, it may still be used during the GD–PI stage by participating institutes.
The exam is divided into two distinct parts.
- Part 1 (170 minutes): Verbal & Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation.
- Part 2 (10 minutes): General Knowledge.
Unlike CAT or SNAP, XAT places a strong emphasis on judgment-based reasoning and ethical analysis through its Decision-Making section. The marking scheme also carries negative marking for incorrect attempts and leaves no room for random guessing. Due to this, XAT requires a section-specific strategy and a deeper conceptual understanding, rather than just relying on speed or shortcuts.
XAT 2026 Syllabus & Exam Pattern: Section-Wise Weightage
XAT 2026 unfolds in two segments. First, candidates spend 170 minutes on three main areas; then they get 10 minutes for General Knowledge. The essay bit has been shifted out of the core test and now helps decide GD-PI shortlists.
In Part 1, four sub-areas sum up to 100 marks:
- Verbal & Logical Ability: roughly 26 questions
- Decision Making: about 21 caselets
- Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation: near 28 puzzles
Each correct response earns 1 mark; each wrong one costs 0.25. Leave more than 8 questions blank, and each extra skip deducts 0.10 (this applies only in Part 1).
Part 2 consists of about 25 GK items. There are no negatives here, but institutions often consider this score during interviews. Check XAT Exam Pattern 2025
Verbal & Logical AbilityTwenty-six items mix reading passages, para-jumbles, fill-in-the-blanks, critical-reasoning snippets and grammar checks. Passages tend toward the abstract, philosophical or technical, and demand inference.
Decision MakingTwenty-one questions arrive as short caselets. No formulas. Instead, test-takers evaluate business or ethical dilemmas and pick the most balanced choice. Clarity of thought and practical judgment prevail.
Quantitative Aptitude & Data InterpretationTwenty-eight questions are split between number work (arithmetic, algebra, geometry) and data sets (graphs, tables, charts). Accuracy outweighs trick shortcuts; understanding patterns saves time.
General KnowledgeRoughly 25 questions cover static facts (history, geography, economics) as well as current affairs (business, politics, science). This score doesn’t affect the percentile but often guides final admission decisions.
XAT 2026 Preparation Strategy by Toppers
Insights from recent XAT 2023 toppers, gleaned from direct interviews, reveal three core habits: relentless mock-test practice, focused Decision-Making drills, and a calm exam-day routine.
Nipun Garg (XAT 2023, 99.95 percentile)“Mocks played a very important role in my final preparation. After covering the syllabus once, I relied on full-length tests to refine time management and section-wise strategy. Each mock’s error log guided my next week’s study plan.”
Nandagopal V (XAT 2023, 99.99 percentile)“Decision-making is the most important section in XAT. It can make or break your entire score. I practised previous years’ DM caselets repeatedly, sometimes ten times each, until the rationale behind every option felt instinctive.”
Amit Chakraborty (XAT 2023, 99.55 percentile)“The mantra for XAT day is keeping calm. The night before, I revisited only formula sheets for QA and then switched off all study materials. On exam morning, a relaxed mind helped me tackle Verbal and DI with steady focus.”
Also Read XAT Preparation Tips 2025
XAT 2026 Study Plan: 90-Day Strategy
A steady schedule cuts stress and builds confidence. Below is a loose framework, including three-month targets for full-time preparation and a one-month blitz for those short on time, along with key pointers on review and mock analysis.
- Week 1–4: focus on fundamentals. Mix vocabulary drills with simple RCs, slot in one Decision-Making caselet, cycle through arithmetic, algebra, geometry, modern-math topics; wrap each week with a quick sectional test and jot down errors.
- Week 5–8: ramp up difficulty. Tackle two DI sets, blend mixed Quant questions, spend a day each on advanced RC and critical reasoning, workshop two fresh caselets with a peer; weekend = full mock + mistake breakdown.
- Week 9–12: simulate exam weeks. Start with a timed full-length mock, then three days fixing weakest spots (from your error log), one day for mixed drills, one for ethics-and-current-affairs scenarios, and finish with deep error-log review.
Conclusion
Strategic preparation for XAT 2026 demands an in-depth understanding of the syllabus, focused practice with mock tests and previous papers, consistent revision, and a section-wise approach. Tailor your plan, analyse your weaknesses, and prioritise accuracy and decision-making to excel under the exam's unique demands.
